Vehicle-tire.



A. S. RICHARDSON. VEHICLE" TIRE.

APPLICATION TILED OCT. 25, 1912.

L9 Patentd Dec. 16, 1913.

: I I 'I I {I 50 l :I 3 I II I: II II- I INVENTOR 4 I1 WITNESSES A TT-ORNEV VEHICLE-TIRE.

ripeness.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 116, 1913..

Application filed October 25, 1912. sflltial No. 727,642.

tires, and may be applied to vehicles of any type, such as automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, wagons, or other vehicles, whether they be of the self-propelled variety, or those in which the motive power is applied from an external source.

The principal objects of my invent on are to provide a tire comprising a plurality of independent removable sections, one or more ;,of which may be independently removed when desired, without disturbing any of the bther sections composing the tire; to provide a tire comprising a plurality of sections, the ends of which are separated and protected by separating means independent of the said sections; and to provide a means of securely fastening the sections as well as Y,

the separating means upon the wheel, but which will admit of the free and easy removal thereof for repair or replacement.

Other objects of my invention are to provide a sectional tire which may be readily manufactured, and which shall be as equally resilient as any form of tire at present in use; and 'to further provide a sectional tire in which a solid section can be substituted for a pneumatic one and vice versa without difliculty; and which can be readily attached to wheels of vehicles now adapted for the various styles of tires at present in use,

Other objects and features of my 1n V6t tion will appear in the following specification and the drawing forming a part of this application,

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partially in central ion; gitudinal section, of a wheel carrying a tire constructed in accordance with one embodiment of this invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the tire and wheel rim taken on the line 22 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the separators which are located between the various sections of the tire, portions of which are indicated in d ed in s; F n. 4 is a pla View of a similar separator in which portions of the sectlons are also shown in dotted lines; Fig. 5

is an elevation of a similar separator, looking toward one end thereof; and Fig. 6 is a central vertical transverse section thereof. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the under side of one of the tire sections; and Fig. 8 is a, frogmentary transverse section similar to Fig. 2 showing a slightly modified form of construotion.

Referring to the drawing, one embodiment of this invention consists of a wheel having a hub 1 from which radiate a plurality of spokes 2, which are surrounded by and affixed to the felt 3 in the ordinary manner. Around the outside periphery of the folly 3 is permanently affixed a preferably mctallic rim 5 by means of the wood screws 6 or other suitable fastening-means. The rim is preferably formed witha channel section, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8.-

The tire-pro or is composed of a plurality of sections 7 0 which there may be as many as desired, five being shown in the drawing. These sections are preferably constructed in a manner similar to the method now used in constructmg tires for use upon. vehicles similar to those to which it is de-' sired to attach a tire embodying features of the present invention, and as shown in the drawing, may preferably be formed of an outer casing 8 having an inner tube 9. This casing may preferably be formed in the well known manner of a rubber or other overing, surrounding an interior portion composed of a strong textile fabric, although, if desired, the fabric portion may be omitted, and in the drawing it has not been shown for the sake of clearncss. The ends of each of these sections are closed and are preferably constructed in a somewhat convex form, when viewed from above, or from below, as shown in Fig. 7, the corners round ing oil to meet the sides of the tire, while when viewed in elevation, the form of the end is preferably similar to that shown in the sectioned portion of Fig. 1.

Each section is preferably provided at either side of its base 11 with a hook-shaped bead-15 which is formedjto engage underneath the hook-shaped portions 16 of the rim or shoe 1?. These shoes, of which one is provided for each section of the tire, are preferably of a cross sectional dimension to fit snugly within the channel sectioned rise 5, are of a similar These stud bolts are threaded for the reception of washers 22 and nuts 23 for the purpose hereinafter described. For each 'section of the tire, an inner tube 9, preferably made quite thin and of a high grade of rubber or similar material, is provided, the ends of which-are formed in a contour similar to the contour of the inner face 26- of the ends of each of the tire sections. The tube'is preferably provided with an air valve 27 vulcanized therein in the well known manner and is capable of retaining air or other fluid under pressure, when inflated through the valve 27. y

Each of the tire sections 7 are preferably formed with a slot 30 in the base, as shown in Fig. 7, which slot is preferably somewhat shorter in length than the corresponding shoe 17 Through this slot 30 the inner tube 9, when in itsdeflated condition, can readily be inserted. The valve of the inner tube will then project radially inward from the under side of the tire section through the enlarged aperture 32 located 'at the center of the slot. serted within a tiresection, as described, the valve 27 may be passed through an aperture 35 located in the shoe 17 and preferably near its center, and the beaded edges of the outer portion of' the section may then be forced under the beads 16 of the rim 17 intothe position shown in Fig. 2. The inner tube may then be inflatedwith' airor other fluid through the valve 27 by means of a pump, or othersimilar apparatus, to any desired pressure, and the tire section, this inflated and attached to its corresponding, shoe 17 -is then ready for attachment to the rim 5 of the wheel as hereinafter described.

Located on the channel section rim 5- and symmetrically with respect to the center of the hub 1 are the separators 40, in number corresponding to the sections of the complete tire. Each of these separators is composed of a base 41 of dimensions preferably the same as those of the shoe 17, excepting that it is preferably somewhat shorter. Projecting radially outward from the outer face thereof, is a plate '42 preferably formed integral with the base and of a shape similar to that shown in Fig. 6. This plate 42 is completely surrounded and inclosed by a covering 43 which is preferably '-made of hard rubber, rubber similar material, and which is formed over located two or more stud After a tube has been -in-.

composition, or other These stud-bolts 45 are also preferably 7 threaded for the reception of the washers 46 and nuts 47.

In assembling the tire upon nent rim 5 the separators 40 are first upon the rim in theposition shown in Fig. 1, the stud bolts '45 projecting radially through suitable apertures in the rim 5, and are secured in place by tightening the nuts 47 securely against the washers 46. The various tire sections 7 are then applied in a the permaplaced- 'similar manner, each of the valves 27 passing through a suitable. aperture 53 in the rim 5 and through a corresponding aperture 54 in the felly 3. The stud-bolts 20 also pass through other apertures 55- in the rim 5 and project radially inward on the lower side thereof. The shoes carrying the tire sections may then be firmly securedin place upon the wheel by placing the washers 22 over the stud-bolts'20 and screwing on the nuts 23, as shown in Fig. 2. When the tire sections are thus in place, upon the rim, the inner ends of the valves 27 may, if desired, be secured in place by the lock nuts 58 and'the caps 59 in the usual manner, or they may be left uncovered. Or, if desired, the valves 27 may be made of such a length that they will'not project entirely through the telly 3, but will be entirely concealed in the aperture 54, in which case'it is not necessary to bore the aperture 54 entirelythrough the felly.

It will be noted that owing to the peculiar formation of the separators40, that portion of the ends of each of the tire sections below the widest portions thereof, as-

indicated approximately at A in Fig. 2, are inclosedlby the lips 60 and are thus firmly secured in place, supported and protected from injury. The se arators .40 are preferably made of a slightly various tire sections "as shown in Fig. 1,

leavinga slight indentation in the surface of the complete tire between each one of the sections, but if desired, the separators may be made'ef the same height as tions, thus eliminating any 'spaces between them. Furthermore, if desired, the lips 60 may be entirely omitted, and the separators formed with a transverse section exactly similar to a transverse section of the, tire less height than the.

the tire sec-* sections, in which case, no portion of the sides of the tire sections will be inclosed by the separators.

' It is to be further noted' 40 v a similar manner to that now employed for that when all the the sections 7 and the separators 40 are'in place upon the wheel, as shown in Fig. 1, the sum of the lengths of thevarious shoes 17 .plus the sum ofthe lengths of the various base plates 41 is equal to the length of't-lie circumference of the rim 5. In .other words, the shoes 17 and baseplates ll forni'a continuousrim around the wheel .in the channel rim 5, thus greatly -adding to-the strength of. the whole construction and tending to prevent any slipping of the tire upon the rim 5. 7

In Fig. '8 'isshown ,a slightly modified form of attachment for the shoe plate l7, in

shoes 17 which single stud-bolts 65. are employed preferably near either-end of each of the and on the central line thereof, instead of a pair of bolts located one" near each side ofthe shoe as-shown in Fig. 2 Thebolt in this casefwill pass completely through the felly 3 of the Wheel instead of only through the channel rim 5. Of course,-

i it will be understood that 'a' similar method of'attachment may be made use of inconnection with the separators 40,.if desired.

' It is evident that in use, one or more sections 7 of the tire may be readily removed by removing the four nuts 23and the washers 22, together with the lock nut 58 and the cap 59, if the latter are employed,- and a new section or sections, which may be readily carriedein the-vehicle, substituted in place thereof Without disturbing any of the other sections, or the separators. It is further evident, that to effect such substitution, it is unnecessary to jack up the-car, provided the damaged section: be turned so that the weight of the car is not resting thereon. After the damaged section has been so removed, it may be repaired when desired in repairing the ordinary type of pneumatic tire;

- It is evidentthat a tire constructed in the mannerv described, may be made with. either solid or pneumaticsections 7, .or with both solid and pneumatic sections. In fact, it may be considered desirable in T11tll1y (.t1SGS,, to carry a solid section rather than a pneu-.

matic section to be utilized in the case of wayside repairs. such solid section bein'gas readily'substituted as apneuuiatic one, and

itis therefore not desired to limit the inven:

tionto the specific form of tire section illustrated, but to include within the scope of the invention tires having either pneumatic,

solid cushion. or other sorts of sections. Nor is it desired to limit this invention to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of the invention as jdefincd inthe appended claims. i

Hav ng thus full adescribcd my invention,

. shaped rim conformable to-said shoes, out.-

what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

' 1. The combination with a vehicle \vheel having a permanent folly, of a tire comprising a plurality of elongated'sections'having substantially convex ends, and radially ouuvardly removable separators having opposite hollowed faces located'bctween said sections and adapted to embrace the euds thereof, said sections being removable indeiendentiy of said separators while said separatcrs are in place upon-said felly.

said sections, means-for inflating said tube,

shoes carrying said sections, a channel wardly removable separators embracing the'" wands of said sections, detachablyfastened to said rim, and means for det-achably fastoning-said sections to said rim, said separators being adapted to permit the removal, of any section independently of any other section or of said separators.

4. Thecombinat' with a vehicle wheel irg a plurality of independent sections having closed 'subst-antiaily, convex ends, an innor tube within each of-said' sections, sepaa raters between said sections, each'of said separatorsbeing formed with opposing holler: faces adapted to engage and partially surround the end thereof, a plate on the base of each of said separators, a rim having a channel section permanen ly affixed to said felly, means for remcvably-attaching each of said plates to said rim, and a shoe detacli-- ab y fastened to each of said sections adapted to engage the ends of said plate and rest within the channel'of said rim.

5. A separator for a -secticnal vehicle tire do nprising an arcshaped plate, 'a reinf oic ing PIOJQCtlOIi extending radially outward therefrom, a covering. of hard rubber coinplctely'inclosing said projection and formed to receive and partially sin-round the end of a tire section, and attaching means extending radially o-utwa rd .from the other side of said plate.

6. A separator for a sectional vehicletire haringa permanent felly, of atire compriscomprising-{an arc shaped plate,-a radial.

projecting.reinforcing plate, relatively hoinogeneous material 'inclosing and surroundmg the last'mentioned plate, and means for attaching said separator to the rim of a wheel.

7 A separator for sectional vehicles tires comprising an are shaped plate, a radial my hand, this 18th day of October, A. D., profl'etgiiingfigeinforcirg plate, means 011 dia- 1912. tac a y a lxlng sai se arator to 2, ve liC e wheel rim, and relativel homogeneous ma- ALLEN RICHARDSON 5 terial, inclosing said last mentioned plate Witnesses:

formed'to recelve the ends of a tire section. ALEXANDER PARK,

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set GEORGE K. HELLERT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- .Washington, D. C." 

